X X X X X X - Scene perspective shift
"speech"
'thought'
#panda sign#
Ringside announcer talking
Come hell or hot water I was going to get out of Nerima with this chapter. Sorry if the ending feels a bit rushed.
X X X X X X
"But No-chan how could you leave me like that?"
Smiling obliviously at her melodramatic husband she sipped some wonderful tea that Kasumi had prepared. The girl was an absolute wonder in the kitchen and around the home. Sitting around the tea room table she was enjoying the warm fall evening with the Tendo's. They had returned a bit late and she had been invited to spend the night.
She was thankful for the invitation. Her house had felt empty since her son had left, but now that she had gotten her son back the emptiness was almost crushing. Her child at the moment was lounging off in the corner a stick of pocky coming from his mouth. Akane and Nabiki were watching some program on a small television set and Ranma looked bored with the whole thing. Of course her husband was busy being a bother about not going to dinner.
"Really dear if you had wanted to go you should have said something."
"But I did, you even said you'd wait for me."
"I don't think you would have liked it."
"Really boy?"
"Yea Oyaji, they didn't serve bamboo."
"Oh to be cursed with such an ungrateful child!" Predictably everyone tuned him out and went back to what they were doing. Occasionally mother and son would be caught looking at each other. Both were worried, Nodoka about her son leaving her, and Ranma that his mother would try and convince him to stay.
He wasn't all that sure he had done a good job explaining himself. But he didn't think he could possibly stay here. The house was nice, the dojo was alright, but this was it? His life was supposed to be some dojo master at a dojo that didn't seem to have students? That was it? He was a great martial artist, probably the best around, and eventually this place would be well known. But he had never taught before. He had helped a few people before but with his own amazing learning curve he was never patient enough to teach others.
That and there was something that was subtly telling him that he really didn't belong here. The Masaki home was the first place he could recall that he had called home. The Saotome house didn't feel like a home. He had no memories in it and it just felt lived in from years of Nodoka being there alone. He couldn't really understand the difference but the Masaki place just made him feel better to be at.
Nodoka's own thoughts were on how she should handle her son. While he wasn't her child by birth, through some cosmic coincidence he had to be related to her somehow. He simply took after her and her family not to be. And she really did love him, when they had first brought him home from the orphanage he had been only around 1 year of age. He had rapidly shown only eyes for her and had cried anytime she was away for more than a few minutes. Seeing him now it wasn't the same look but she could remember back to when he did.
X X X X X X
12 Years ago
4 year old Ranma tugged on his new martial arts gi, his poppa had bought it big and said he would grow into it. The material was scratchy and stiff but it was different from his usual clothing and it was fun to wear something different. He didn't really like that he had no shoes on. The grass was really dry and poked his feet. He also wasn't really sure why but his poppa was sitting on the ground with his legs spread wide and reaching for one foot.
"Come on boy, do like I do."
"Okay poppa." Sitting down he mimicked his father, easily touching the foot Genma was having trouble with.
"Good now the other foot." It continued this way for about 15 minutes as Genma worked through a stretching routine. Finally it ended and his poppa smiled down at him. "You're very flexible son, having good flexibility is one of the keys to being a good martial artist." He smiled even more at the praise. It was the most he had ever gotten from the man.
"Alright son, now take this stance." Mimicking his father once again Ranma bent his knees and placed his hands at his hips. "You're a natural my boy." He positively beamed as Genma patted him on the head.
Inside the house Nodoka was finishing preparations for breakfast. She was making something extra special, today was after all special, today was the day Ranma would start his training. Clasping her hands to her chest she sighed happily. Genma had always kept his distance from Ranma, but now he was starting to take an interest in her son. This could only bode well as it would mean he was fully accepted him into their family.
It also meant that she would finally be accepted into the Saotome family. Her own family the Miyake's had been displeased with her choice of husband, but even with Genma's obvious faults she loved him. Her own inability to conceive a child had lead them to adopt. The Saotome family was strict on the requirement of a strong male line and so it had been a boy. She whole heartedly agreed with most of the ideals as they fit her definition of manly and would do her best to encourage her son to be as such.
Finishing her preparations she arranged the food on the table. Satisfied that it was a meal fit for a king she went to call in her son and husband. She hoped desperately that Genma would be able to train Ranma at home. When he had first told her he would train him, he had come up with the idea for a training trip. This was something she couldn't agree upon, her little boy hardly ever left her presence. There would be plenty of time for him to grow up, but for now she had her innocent child to think of.
Wiping her hands on her apron she walked out to announce that breakfast was ready. She appraised the pair, Ranma must be as quick a learner at the art, as he was at everything else, to already be having a small sparring session with her husband. Hopelessly outmatched he was clumsily trying to tag Genma who for his part would make small taps on an outstretched limb. The scene made her smile, father and son bonding, but then it all ended when Genma suddenly swept out Ranma's feet sending the small boy onto his back side.
"Watch your footwork boy." He chided and she frowned, for the first day that had been certainly a rough move to perform on a child.
She knew it wasn't meant to hurt Ranma and the small fall wouldn't have done anything to cause damage. Except Ranma suddenly broke down crying and ran to her. Gathering the small boy in her arms she stroke his head and made soft comforting noises. Ranma was such a small boy for his age that it was almost hard to believe he was 4, he looked far more like a large 2 year old. Turning to look at her husband she found him looking crossly at her. Suddenly she realized why he wanted to take him away, he couldn't possibly train Ranma seriously with him running to her at the first sign of trouble.
But could she really allow that? Ranma was such a sweet innocent little thing. Being taken away from her and being alone with Genma would only destroy that. No ,she couldn't let him take her baby away, not till he was at least a few years older. But it would also mean she would have to start weening him from her attentions, otherwise he would be devastated when the time came.
"Ranma." She pulled his sniffling form away as he stared up at her with big wet eyes and his lower lip still trembling. "Do you want to be a big boy for mommy?" He sniffled and didn't seem to understand. "Poppa was just trying to teach you."
"Poppa hurt me."
"I know, but it's training, you want to grow up and be big and strong like Poppa right?" Ranma's head bobbed up and down lightly. "Then you'll have to listen and do what Poppa says, alright?"
"Even if it hurts?"
"Even if it hurts."
"Why Poppa want hurt me? I dun wanna learn then."
"Ranma you must, it is a great honor to learn the art."
"But I dun wanna hurt!" He made to latch onto her again and she held it at arms length.
"Ranma." His bright blue eyes looked at her with confusion as small tears ran down his face. "It's for your own good, now let's go eat and then you can train some more with Poppa."
"But I."
"Ranma, you must do this, do you understand." She watched as his bright blue eyes darkened slightly and all the love and adoration they usually held for her started to diminish before he looked down.
"I, I will momma." The small boy sniffled and wiped away at his tears with the back of his gi covered arm.
X X X X X X
Nodoka stiffened for a moment at the recollection. Was the last 10 years of loneliness and isolation worth the acceptance of the Saotome family? Was it worth forcing her child to grow up? She loved Genma with all her heart, had given up all ties to her family for him, he was everything to her. But, 10 years was a long time to wait, and the letters he sent every month or so had not chased away the loneliness.
Now she could see it happening all over again, except now he could possibly go so far from her reach that she could never see him again. She could imagine the look in his eyes this time if she tried to force him into staying here for the engagement. Except this time there would be no second chances. Ranma didn't seem to remember her at all, and she wondered what could possibly have taken away those 5 years. How much of a mistake could the training trip have been?
Even the ever militant Saotome family had been confused over the training trip. Most of their children had spent at most 5 years away at a time. 10 years was simply unheard of and it made her feel proud that her husband was so dedicated to training her son. She tried not to show her anger as she remembered the day he took her from him. She had beaten him rather badly until he had created the seppuku pledge. Grudgingly she had accepted as it would ensure her husband kept in line and trained their son properly.
But it was all for naught. She could only imagine the shame that would come from her son's curse. Regardless of how strong in the art he had become, a Saotome male who could be a Saotome female would make waves across the small tight knit clan. The possibility of being kicked out was very real for them. Genma would be forgiven, after all it wasn't really his child that failed.
The option of forcing her husband and son to commit seppuku would clear the dishonor of their failing to live up to the contract as well as Ranma's expectation as a Saotome male. But then what? Alienated from her birth family and disliked by her current, she might as well join them in the afterlife. But unless that came to pass she would dismiss that depressing thought from her mind. For now she could enjoy her sons presence, get to know him all over again, and maybe someday he would look at her like he used to.
X X X X X X
Ranma was surprised when Ryo-ohki hopped back into the tea room. The small cabbit looked around before spotting him and seemed to explode with happiness. 'Wonder what she got into.' Quickly enough the cabbit was sitting on the floor in front of him making happy noises.
"Hey, remember I don't understand you." A blink blink from the cabbit was it's response before she went right back into describing something he couldn't understand.
"Shouldn't you be training Ranma?" Nabiki asked.
"For what?"
"The competition tomorrow dummy."
"I can handle it no problem." Putting pocky stick in front of Ryo-ohki the cabbit sniffed it a few times before starting to eat it. It was probably a bad idea to introduce sweets to an already hyper active rabbit thing. But she didn't seem to like it as much as a carrot so he should be safe.
"I do believe you should take this challenge more seriously son."
"Alright alright, sheesh you're all acting like i'm klutz girl over there." Akane bristled but with her twisted ankle being wrapped up in a large bag of ice she could do little to vent her anger. Ryo-ohki followed him obediently as he left the room. Nabiki followed shortly with a camera and Nodoka being curious about her sons skill followed a moment later. But not before she left Genma a message.
"Genma dear could you please clean up the guest room before bedtime?" She said sweetly her husband jerked like he was shot.
Inside the dojo, Ranma was busying setting up a practice dummy he had found in the dojo's supply closet. It wasn't much but waving around clubs and a ribbon without a target would feel incredibly silly. Pushing it lightly with his hand he found that the wide base provided a good structure to keep it stable. Of course any kind of hit would throw in across the dojo like a bouncy ball. Twirling a club experimentally he checked it's balance. Top heavy like an ax, but short enough to be responsive.
"Son, shouldn't you be female for this? After all you will be female for this match."
"Huh? I thought you wanted me to stay a guy as much as possible." This was a first, his manly obsessed mother was telling him to be a girl?
"Well, I guess certain allowances can be made. Surely there is a difference between the two that will affect your performance."
"Here ya go Ranma." Nabiki was holding up a bucket. She needed pictures of girl type Ranma after all. She missed the hungry look of Ryo-ohki as the cabbit eyed the camera strapped around her neck.
"Thank you Nabiki-chan."
"Yea thanks Nabiki." He resisted the urge to ask why she had a bucket of water with her. He also had to resisted the urge to go get more water and dump it on her after he found himself with a face full of it. That usually got a rise out of Ryoko but Nabiki wasn't a fighter and it wouldn't lead to any fun.
"You're welcome Ranma-kun. But shouldn't you be in a leotard as well?"
"Don't push it."
Hiking up her pants she tightened the drawstring, once satisfied they wouldn't fall down and trip her, she started to get a feel for the weapons. Obviously the clubs were easy enough to figure out, the hoop was odd but easy to throw, the large ball was ignored since it was too easy. The ribbon was the oddest one. It was like a whip that would hang in the air. It would be very useful as a distraction with the complicated patterns that could be drawn in the air.
Pausing for a second to feel the thin but strong fabric that made up the ribbon she lashed it out at the dummy several times. Finding that to do a further attack one needed to either spin their body to generate force or twirl it and wait till the tail had returned to her position. If she tried before then it wouldn't generate any force and would just fall limply to the ground.
"Well I'm done." Rewinding the ribbon around the small rod at the end she packed up the tools into the bag left by the gymnastics team.
"But you've only been at it for five minutes."
"Meh, all I needed to do was figure out the weapons. Everything else I've done before." Nabiki frowned, she had needed Ranma to get into a leotard and actually work out. Grumbling she left to go see if any of the pictures she did take were worth keeping.
"Are you sure that's enough son?"
"Yea i'm sure mom. Aint no way i'll lose."
"If you're certain." She was a bit worried, she still hadn't seen her sons full abilities. It was too bad that he hadn't had a proper sparring partner. "Let's go back inside and see if your father cleaned up the guest room. I would rather you didn't sleep in the dojo alone."
"Fine fine." She made a point to drag her feet as they walked back inside carrying her pack.
Surprisingly Genma had cleaned up the room, if by cleaned up she meant shoved all the trash in the corner and opened a window. She ended up sliding Genma's futon over to the window before grabbing the large double one kept for guests and placed it by the door. Placing her own bedroll between the two. Heading to the furo to get some hot water she found small tags placed over the hot water faucets.
"Oh i'm sorry Ranma-kun, but the hot water heater is broken." Kasumi appeared behind her. "It's the oddest thing, it was working fine earlier."
"I got some pajama's you can wear if you want Ranma-kun." Nabiki's smiling face appeared next to her sister.
"Pass." Grumbling about the injustice of it all and the stupidity of a certain panda she stalked back to the guest room to get changed from her damp clothes.
X X X X X X
"Ranma dear come to bed." Ranma turned to her mother standing at the door to the tea room. She was the last one up after finding a show on tv that she liked. Ryo-ohki was sleeping on one of the kneeling cushions at her side. "You're still a growing boy and need your sleep."
"Uh sure mom."
Hitting the power button she let Ryo-ohki sleep. Nodoka was wearing a white nemaki with small navy squares that made circle patterns. Watching her mother from the corner of her eye she noticed that her hair was undone from it's tight bun and cascaded down over her right shoulder. Unconsciously she played with her own red pigtail.
She never had looked much like Genma, thankfully. She tugged a little harder on the pigtail, going bald and getting that ugly would be horrible. While she really didn't want to have the curse longer than possible, Nodoka wasn't all that short, so there was hope that she wouldn't be a tiny midget if she had it for a long time. If the cursed form did actually age. Reaching the room they found Genma as a panda snoring loudly on his futon.
"Mom, what's it like being married to a panda?"
"Embarrassing."
Soon enough Ranma was the only one awake. Nestled in a warm blanket between her two parents she couldn't stop thinking about them. First off she started thinking about the panda. The parent that she remembered and who had raised her. He was a greedy idiot but he was all she knew, and occasionally he had shown himself to have good qualities. Though those had gotten rapidly few and far between as the years progressed.
The opposite was Nodoka, the calm, almost regal woman who was sleeping to the other side. The closest person she knew to Nodoka was Ayeka, but even the princess of Jurai would never think to use a seppuku contract. At first she had resented her and that stupid pledge. Especially at Nodoka's willingness to actually consider it. She was odd, going from manly obsessed to caring parent with the flip of a switch. Or maybe an application of water would be a better description.
But it seemed she was coming around to a more normal way of thinking and didn't seem that serious about the pledge anymore. She was after all the one who suggested she practice as a girl while previously telling her to stay out of girl form as much as possible. It wasn't like she had a choice most days, water had a way of finding her at the most inopportune moments. Especially when hot water would be out of reach.
Shifting to laying on her side she looked at what she could only consider her new parent. She frowned or in this form pouted cutely with the different sensations she got with her body from doing so. The shifting on her chest, the way her hips had to shift to one side twisting her back slightly in order for her body to lay flat. She had grown used to it but hoped never to find it normal.
A soft thumping noise came down the hall outside followed by a harder one against the door. She couldn't see past Nodoka but the thumping started again inside of the room and it moved around her moms head before revealing Ryo-ohki. The cabbit hopped up to sleep on the pillow next to Nodoka's head. 'Guess Ryo-ohki thinks she's ok now, I must be right in that she isn't really super nutso anymore.'
She focused even more when Nodoka's face started to become distressed. Propping herself up to her hands and knees she watched as a small tears started to fall from her mothers eyes.
"Ranma." Nodoka whispered. "Please, please don't leave me." Sliding forward she felt the rapid fire thumping of her heart as it hammered in her chest. "Please, not again."
"Mom I." Pausing she watched for any proof that Nodoka was awake. "I don't wanna have too."
Not receiving a response she hesitated before sliding underneath the blanket next to Nodoka. Brow furrowed in concentration, she tried in vain to remember if she had ever done this when little. Staring up at the ceiling she hoped that she wouldn't get in trouble for being so girly. 'Stupid emotional girl body.'
X X X X X X
Nabiki crept through the house towards the hot water heater. Her plan to keep Ranma a girl for a photo op hadn't panned out. She hadn't even gotten a picture of the red head in a leotard. Oh well it could wait till tomorrow evening at the match. Perhaps she could even convince Ranma to wear a better hair style, rather than that plain pigtail. It would certainly increase the price of a picture if Ranma had a sexy hairstyle.
But then again that had all the possibility of happening as her little sister falling in love with Kuno. Replacing the piece she removed, the heater kicked in and started to warm the cold water within. After all, there was no way she was taking a cold bath tomorrow.
X X X X X X
The morning festivities at the Tendo home started when a certain panda threw a certain redhead out into a certain pond. Said redhead then proceeded to spar with the overweight panda over top said pond. Said overweight lazy greedy panda found itself very very wet very quickly as an irate busty redhead showed her displeasure at the method of her waking.
"Genma dear I really wish you wouldn't have thrown Ranma out the window."
"Growf."
"Stupid Oyaji." Ranma returned wearing a matching black tank top and kung fu pants. Nodoka frowned for a moment at the barely decent nature of the tank top. Son or no, giving every boy in sight a nose bleed was unacceptable.
"Here's some hot water Ranma-kun." Kasumi held up a nearly boiling kettle.
"Thanks." Wincing as the far too hot water cascaded down his head Ranma let out his belt.
"After breakfast son would you walk me home?"
"Sure mom."
#What about school?# FLIP #Ranma has to protect Akane#
"I'm sure Akane will be fine."
#But she's his fiancée# FLIP #It's his MANLY and honorable duty#
"I don't believe my son picked a fiancée yet." Ranma instantly looked up from his food. "He was also wronged by Akane yesterday. Perhaps an apology is in order." Akane spit out her drink.
"Wronged by Akane? I'm not sure what you mean." Soun chuckled for moment.
"Oh yes, she threw water on him and exposed his curse yesterday to the classroom."
"I well, ya see I was just, it's not something I was trying, ya see it went, and then this happened, then I eeped, and it just happened."
Nodoka's eyes narrowed slightly at the flustered girl. She knew that Akane couldn't have meant any harm, she did seem like such a sweet girl. On the other hand she was at the time supposed to be her son betrothed and such actions were completely unacceptable.
"Is this true Akane?"
"It is." The dejected girl hung her head.
"Does the school know?"
"First I heard of it Daddy." Truthfully she had heard a rather large rumor about it, but the fantastical notion of Ranma turning from a girl to guy had made it die out real fast. Others of course had jumped up, such as Ranma being a master of disguise, something in the water causing everyone to turn into Kuno, and a few others.
"Well then no harm no foul."
#Thats right it's no problem#
Ranma frowned at their calm dismissal of him. He wasn't all that angry with Akane but she had done something that he understood required some kind of apology. Twice now actually considering her thoughts on what he did as a girl. But she had apologized for that and he didn't really hold grudges.
Nodoka smiled lightly and tried not to grind her teeth. Her husband could be so stubborn at times, and it appeared his old training buddy was the same way. She wanted the best for her son after all. And now Akane had a tick mark in both the good and bad categories of the spreadsheet in her mind. She was sweet but balanced against that was her impetuousness, which in the proper direction would be wonderful. 'Grandbabies!'
"Well I gotta get going."
"Hold on Nabiki i'll come with you."
Both sisters had different reasons for leaving early, Nabiki to start up a betting pool for the match later. Akane wanting to get to school before all the boys, who she didn't like the odds of fighting off with a twisted ankle.
"Up for a game of shogi Saotome-kun?"
#Always Tendo-kun#
"I'll just get started on the dishes then."
Mother and son shared a confused look and wondered how they were suddenly the only ones at the table, aside from Ryo-ohki who was in a happy carrot induced slumber.
X X X X X X
"Your boy is very good Saotome-kun."
#Of course# Another sign was held up. #I trained him to be the best!#
Playing shogi in the doorway to the koi pond Soun and Genma-panda would occasionally break to watch as Ranma practiced by moving around the yard. Occasionally stopping in some odd stance only to blur into action again. Soun may not have been the most active martial artist anymore but he still kept himself in shape. But even in his prime he would be hard pressed to keep up with the boy for more than a minute. How his old training partner who was in far worse shape than himself could do it was a testament to their training under the dreaded master.
Ranma for his part ignored the world around him and focused on his invisible opponent. He had no clue what Kodachi looked like but his current opponent was a vaguely female shape. Trying to remember how each of the tools he was supposed to do work he was working out ways that they could be used in a fight.
Leaping into the air he imagined a ribbon streaking through the air like a whip as it tried to hit him in mid air. Twisting and contorting his body he landed in a crouch alongside the koi pond. He had no desire to take another swim and it was good incentive that he not make a mistake. Taking a few calming breaths he wiped at some sweat on his forehead. It wasn't that warm out but it was sunny and he was leaping around like Ryo-ohki chasing carrots.
"Ranma-kun."
"Oh Kasumi-san, what is it?" The eldest Tendo was standing on the small stone path to the pond, Ryo-ohki at her side.
"If you aren't too busy can you bring something back for me?"
"I guess so."
"Wonderful, it's just a book I borrowed from Tofu-sensei."
"Tofu-sensei?"
"His clinic is on the way to school."
"Is it that acupuncture and moxibustion place?"
"That's the one." She smiled pleasantly and handed him a medical book.
"Hey, Ryo-ohki you wanna come?" A few happy noises and the cabbit was quickly perched on his head. "Lazy."
Quickly out of the gate he set off in the direction of the school. A sudden leap and startled cry from Ryo-ohki and he was up on the wall that lined the side of the road. Opening the book he found it to be just a bunch of useless medical stuff. Getting sick happened rarely enough, actually being injured hadn't happened since he was 10. Tucking it back under his arm he jumped past a break in the fence to the next portion without a thought.
Thankfully Genma hadn't bugged him earlier about being next to Nodoka. His old man must have been too sleepy or too happy about tossing him into the pond to notice. Thinking of the panda made him want to growl. His feelings for the man more or less encompassed hate, dislike, and mostly indifference. Genma was mostly an annoyance that had to be put up with, but that was before getting away and finding out that he liked being away from him. But not he found himself almost falling back into those same patterns, and not liking it one bit.
"Miyah." Hissing through his teeth he reigned himself in from jumping upwards in fright.
"Gah don't do that! Alright whatta ya want?" Looking up he found the cabbit pointing towards his right. Looking down and over a block he found a white corner post saying 'Acupuncture'.
"Oh, guess this is the place, thanks."
"Miyah." The cabbit scoffed and looked away.
"Alright i'm sorry I yelled at ya, but ya know how I get. I'll get you a carrot later." Cabbit placated he hopped off the fence and walked inside.
"Uh hello anyone here?"
The place seemed deserted, there was of course a place to leave off street shoes, with a supply of slippers for customers to wear. A small sitting area, a reception window that was closed and on either side of it were two doors. Then another door on the far right wall with the sign for bathroom on it. The door on the left suddenly opened to reveal a tall man with glasses and light brown hair wearing a dark grey almost black gi.
"Ah hello, I am Ono Tofu the tending physician here, can I help you young man?"
"Yea I was asked to bring this book back to you." Holding out the book the man took it.
"Oh this is, this is, this is the one I to loaned Kasumi-san." Stepping away quickly as the man's glasses fogged over, Ranma decided it would be best to leave. Especially when the man grabbed a skeleton and started to dance around the room.
X X X X X X
The match was set for 4pm and Ranma was now walking through the hall at St. Hebereke towards the dressing room. A member of the Furinkan team was flanking her, now without the bandages except for a band aid over her left cheek. Trying not to think about the horrible piece of clothing she would have to wear, as it was buried deep in the tool bag she carried, they came upon a girl leaning against the door opposite to the one she was to use. Directly next to the doors at the end of the hall was the entrance to the gymnasium.
The girl at her side, Ritsuko, stiffened and backed away as the other girl eyed her. Clad in the Hebereke school uniform the pale girl's black hair was tied in a pony tail to the left side of her head. She frowned at seeing the girl was about the same size as her guy form. 'Why the hell am I a midget?'
"I heard that they found a substitute, I did not think they would find the smallest little thing for me to face." The girls haughty tone instantly grated on Ranma. Sounding way too much like Kuno for her liking. "But where are my manners, I am Kuno Kodachi, the black rose of St. Hebereke."
"Any chance you're related to the idiot at Furinkan who runs around wearing a kendo uniform?"
"You must mean my elder brother. Did he perchance profess his undying love for you as well? You have my condolences, I can tell by the violent shiver that he did. Well may the best girl win." Not really wanting to be rude to a person who obviously suffered with a crazy brother she held out her hand to shake the others.
"Hold it." Blinking as Akane suddenly was between them and holding onto Kodachi's wrist. Akane had several bruises and looked like she had been in a fight.
"Tendo Akane why do you interfere in a sincere handshake for us to have an honest match?" Looking balefully at the taller girl Akane pulled the girls palm up to show three tacks between her fingers. "Oops, however did those get there?"
"I'm sure you had nothing to do with it, come on Ranma." A little shocked by the underhanded attack Ranma was dragged into the dressing room.
"What happened to you anyways?"
"Well first thing, I had to fight off a few guys at school this morning, that should explain this." Pointing towards a small bruise. "Then that psycho out there attacked me because she thought I was still going to be in the match. Which explains the rest."
"Ah, thanks for that outside."
"Ritsuko I should be able to handle this."
"Thank you Akane-san." The mousy girl took her leave.
"So why are you helping me?"
"Well, I was thinking about what your mom said earlier. And I wanted to apologize for splashing you yesterday." Akane bowed her head and waited.
"Meh it's no problem." She really wasn't one to hold a grudge. "What's with the flowers?" On the table was a large bouquet of black roses. Grabbing them she read the tag. 'Good Luck from the Black Rose.' was written on it in elaborate script and a stylized rose was on a side. Dropping it in disgust, the tack incident from outside making her think twice about what these roses were here for.
X X X X X X
Being the ever busy sort, Kasumi was sweeping the steps up to the front door. Ryo-ohki was busy inspecting some flowers near the entrance. She was caught off guard as a woman actually shimmered into existence in front of her.
"Oh my."
"Hey, you ready to go?" The woman ignored her and gruffly spoke to Ryo-ohki.
"Um excuse me, but who are you?"
"Eh?" The cyan haired woman looked her up and down then grabbed Ryo-ohki by the scruff of the neck. "I'm Ryoko."
"You're one of Ranma-kun's little friends then?"
"Little friend? Heh, I have no friends, i'm just here to get her back before watching Ranma's little match." The woman turned and looked to be about to walk away when she paused. "But thanks for taken care of her."
"Oh, you're welcome."
"Alright let's go." The woman once again shimmered out of existence.
"Oh my." Returning to work she wondered where she could find a pet as well behaved as Ryo-ohki.
X X X X X X
Inside of the gymnasium a group of five were finding seats alongside the Furinkan students. They were an odd group, one guy flanked by a pair of females with another pair following the trio. They got more than a few odd looks due to the brightly colored hair of three of the group. As well as the overly tanned blonde girl and the small rabbit like creature held by the one who looks about 10 with long blue hair.
"See we're right on time, I don't know what you were worried about princess."
"Perhaps if you weren't such a bother Ryoko-san we wouldn't have to worry."
"Hey come on now, can we not fight for five minutes?"
"Sorry." "Sorry Tenchi-sama."
"Ladies and Gentlemen! St. Hebereke is proud to announce the champions of the schools!" A high school girl in the center of the ring was announcing. "In this corner, from your very own St. Hebereke school for girls, the undefeated, Kuno Kodachi!" Loud applauds and screams erupted as a tall black haired girl sauntered into the ring, wearing a pale green leotard with black trim, a large black rose held in her mouth.
"Look! Look! It's Ranma-neechan!" Sasami shouted and pointed excitedly as Ranma walked out with a dark blue haired girl following her. Ranma was of course happy that she had been able to exchange that pink monstrosity for one green themed one.
"And in this corner!" The announcer began but then didn't recognize who the girl was. "Excuse me miss, what is your name?"
"Saotome Ranma." Leaping up and over the ropes the girl landed and stood in her corner.
"From Furinkan High school, Saotome Ranma!" No real cheers went up for Ranma as most of the occupants from Furinkan were busy whispering amongst themselves debating on the rumor of how she could change into a boy.
"See that I told you."
"Yea you're right, no way she's a guy."
"Totally, oh man I wish I would have brought a camera!"
"Champions to the center!" Watching the tricky girl Ranma approached the center. "Now shake hands." Looking suspiciously at the girls hand she held out her own to shake it. "Please return to your corners."
"The rules for todays martial arts rhythmic gymnastics is as follows. No time limit, no bare handed blows, the match ends when one contestant is unable to compete and if either contestant falls from the ring she will be the immediate loser. Please ring the bell and let the match commence!" More cheers from the crowd as a large bell was run several times.
Standing at the opposite corner of Kodachi, Ranma held onto her ribbon and a club. Kodachi had a rope in one hand and two clubs in the other.
"Ya know it aint my style to beat up girls, so i'll just have to knock you out of the ring!" Starting off with several ribbon attacks that were parried by the rope, Kodachi did her best impersonation of Ayeka in crazy mode and actually turned it up a notch.
"Oh oh oh oh oh! I thank you for the concern!"
"Just what we have come to expect from the flower of martial gymnastics! She handles the rope as if it was a rod!"
Getting in close she struck out with the club several times and combining it with a ribbon attack was able to dislodge the rope from the girls hand. It spun in mid air before landing on an end to the side of the ring. It stayed standing for a moment then fell down with a clang.
"Wait a minute, it is a rod!"
"Hey hey referee! Isn't that against the rules!" Akane yelled from the sidelines.
"As long as it's not a barehanded blow."
Dodging out of the way as Kodachi suddenly started to attack with the clubs. Noticing something odd about them she watched it closely as it came by her cheek. "Gak!" Small spikes shot out of the club and nearly stabbed the side of her face.
"Oh come on ref! That club has spikes!"
"Huh? I don't see any spikes."
Stopping another spike club with her own normal one she reached up quickly and grabbed it from Kodachi's hand.
"How dare you take my weapon!"
"Oh yea whatcha gonna do bout it?"
"Hoop!"
"Insolent girl! For stealing my tool I shall punish you!" The hoop made an odd noise as it moved through the air. Jumping up and over it she turned to watch as it sliced cleanly through the ring post.
"What the hell is that!"
"Amazing, it was a razor blade!" Before the spinning hoop of death could get any further Kodachi's ribbon snapped forward and stopped it. Kodachi smirked and tugged backwards dragging the hoop back towards her opponent. Stuck in mid air Ranma would have no chance at dodging.
"I have you now!" Years of mid air training allowed Ranma to twist and contort her body to have the ring pass harmlessly by. "Uh oh!" Kodachi being in the direct line of the ring, ducked to the side as the ring passed by to strike the mat at the base of a ring post.
"If you can't just get out of the ring like a good girl then I'll just have to make you!" Twirling the two clubs she now had like nunchuka.
"How laughable! Now witness the secret technique of the black rose! The blow of a thousand hands at full frenzy!" Ranma was caught slightly off guard by the ferocity and speed of the attack and Kodachi's arm blurred into motion.
"It's like she's using twenty clubs!" Parrying every jab Ranma wasn't getting slightly annoyed. This girl was fast and really knew her stuff. Not nearly as fast as she was but with the added experience from years of using this stuff it gave the girl a slight edge in their application. 'Heh looks like a screwed up a little bit.'
"Ranma catch!" Leaping into the air as Akane tossed the rubber ball up she spiked it down into Kodachi's hands snapping the clubs from them. Landing and balancing on the rope she watched as twenty clubs fell to the ground.
"Hey she was using twenty clubs!"
"She takes foul play to new lows!"
"This is only the beginning! As the true essence of martial rhythmic gymnastics is control of an endless arsenal of weapons!" Leaping up onto a ring post she lashed out with her ribbon to grab the bell.
"It's a deadly bell assault!" Rolling over to the metal bar Kodachi had used earlier she brought it up and with a great clang the bell went flying off to land beside the ring.
"Two can play at this game!" Slamming the rod into the canvas she slipped behind it as another ribbon attack wrapped itself around it. Leaping up to the next post over from Kodachi she snagged the entire announcer table with her own.
"And she snags the table! What an innovation!" Not to be outdone Kodachi grabbed her brother Tatewaki. "And Kodachi counters with her own brother!!" The two objects collided, the thick wood of the table verses the thick head of Kuno.
"Is using ones own brother considered legal?!"
"Use of brother valid!" The judges chorused.
"What the hell is illegal to you!?" Akane yelled getting in the judges faces.
"Not a lot?" They whimpered to the face of the enraged girl.
X X X X X X
"This is a battle for the ages! Neither champion is yielding a single step!" Pausing for a moment the announcer looked around the ring. "Then again where do they have to step?!" The ring was covered with debris from the objects the pair had pulled in from outside of the ring.
Inside of the ring both Ranma and Kodachi were slightly out of breath as they struck blows at each other with their ribbons.
"Such a stubborn little girl you are!"
"Blah you're one to talk!"
Next to the ring Akane was waiting to see what crazy thing would be pulled out by the pair in the ring. Truth be told she was a bit concerned with how they were throwing around heavy objects with delicate ribbons. Finding a hand resting on her shoulder she turned to find a panda holding a tea kettle and some glasses of tea.
"Saotome-san?" A cup of tea was pushed in her face. "What the? This is no time for sipping tea!" A wrapped bundle suddenly hit the panda over it's head.
"Genma dear."
#Yes wife?"
"I have two questions, well three. One why are you a panda."
#Got splashed#
"Alright, two, why are you sitting next to the ring?"
#Is good seat no?#
"Ok so then why are you sipping tea?"
#I'm thirsty# FLIP #Want some?# The kettle was suddenly ripped from Genma's paw by a ribbon.
"Even a cockroach will surrender in the face of the boiling water attack!" Holding up the kettle Kodachi smirked at the sudden look of terror that came over the annoying red heads face. Leaping forward she attempted to pour the boiling liquid over the tiny girl and missed.
"Saotome Ranma retreats! But then that water does look awfully hot!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh! Do you not care for hot water?" Backed into a corner Ranma looked for a way out. 'If I get splashed and turned back into a guy wearing this thing I'll never live it down!'
"Now suffer my hot water attack!" As one their ribbons snapped forward and wrapped the kettle up between them. Both girls pulled and tugged trying to take it away from the other.
"Insolent wench!"
"Oh yea?!" Ranma smiled and released her ribbon. Kodachi's eyes widened as she fell ungracefully onto her backside and the kettle upended it's contents on her.
"AIIEEEEE!!"
"Oh no Kodachi has been splashed by her own attack!"
"Ha ha! Ready to give up yet?"
"Never!" Up and in her face with another spiked club Ranma dodged by bending backwards at the waist. Returning to standing she found the club in her face again. Rolling backwards she got into a handstand and caught the club between her feet.
"Stop being such a pain!" Pulling down on the club she kicked it up into Kodachi's stomach at the handle sending the girl flying out of the ring.
"Wait! Now Kodachi is flying out of the ring! Is this the end?!"
Righting herself in air Kodachi pulled a whistle out from around her neck. Before giving it a quick high pitched whistle. The entire ring started to shake and Ranma was thrown on her backside as the ring shifted of to where Kodachi would fall. Spectators and seats were thrown as it came to rest underneath the falling girl.
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh! Out is an impossibility for me!"
Ranma looked between Kodachi, noticing the whistle, and looking own at the mat. In the crowd, everyone's eyes threatened to bulge from their heads as the tiny red head literally ripped the ring mat from it's place and threw it to where the ring had been. Both contestants leapt up onto ring posts and glared at one another.
"I uh, well after that amazing show of strength Saotome Ranma has exposed the St. Hebereke gymnastics team. The secret of the moving ring is shown to be woman power! Wave bye bye as the team makes their way calmly out of the arena everyone!" Turning to the score keeper she added. "Do we have a video camera capturing this?"
"But now that the mat has been torn away, with only the ropes and posts to stand on, the first fall loses!"
Standing on a post the opposite corner of Kodachi, Ranma watched as the girl grabbed her razor wing with the ever present ribbon. 'Ha mid air combat is my specialty, this is my chance to end this.' Stepping along the rope she watched as Kodachi hurled the ring at her. Stopping she watched it as it hit the rope in front of her. 'Oh wait a second.'
"ACK!" Flailing from the unprepared free fall she found a ribbon tightly around her neck.
"Such impudence! To think you could defeat me!" Gasping as she was hauled high into the air over the ring.
"Saotome Ranma is going to fall to the center of the ring!" Pulling the ribbon from her neck she yanked it from Kodachi's hands.
"Like that's gonna happen!" Throwing it upwards she caught the rafters. "I'll just kick you off!" Swinging forward in a kick she stopped short of a calmly standing Kodachi.
"And now she falls back like a pendulum!" Swinging backwards she dodged out of the way as Kodachi threw several clubs at her.
"And now the final blow!" The last club snapped the ribbon and she was released to fly into the ropes. Gathering up her energy as the rope grew taught like a rubber band she was launched at Kodachi.
"Is this a rope propelled body blow?!"
"Fool you cannot attack barehanded!" Blocking several more clubs in mid air she threw a kick at the ring post underneath Kodachi.
"My weapon is right under your feet!"
The crowd gasped and held their breaths as Kodachi sat defeated inside of the ring. Ranma was gripping the bottom of the post with her feet, her back arched as she held onto the top part of the post that was now positioned between Kodachi's legs.
"Ku, Kuno Kodachi is out of the ring!" The referee ran up to hold a not exactly there Ranma's hand up. "The winner Saotome Ranma!"
"A, total defeat." Kodachi left off a sigh as she sat in the center of the ring.
X X X X X X
Tenchi had wanted to go up and congratulate the brightly smiling redhead as she preened in front of a group of people. But he froze his eyes locked on her face, that vivid red hair, bright blue eyes, and that infectious smile. His eyes nearly exploded from his head. Quickly ducking away from everyone he ran as fast as he could to the only male lavatory. Ducking his hands under some cold water he splashed his face repeatedly.
"Oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no." Rubbing his face as violently as he could he tried to wash out the image that was now burned into his mind.
How could this possibly happen? He had two women that were throwing themselves at him, literally with great force they threw themselves at him and begged for his attention. Why? What possible reason could be there be for this to happen?
Ranma, who had saved him from Ryoko, helped him escape from Ayeka's ship, an absolutely incredible martial artist as that match had just demonstrated, and who just so happened to turn into a girl with an application of cold water.
"No no no no no no no no no!"
Ranma was a guy! Not a girl, it was just a curse that would be cured the first chance he got. His dad had told him a day like this would come. He would meet a girl and it would happen. But why this one? Why why why!?
X X X X X X
"Hmm? I thought Tenchi would be with you guys." Ranma had recovered as quick as ever.
"Huh where is Tenchi?"
The assembled group was in the hallway so Ranma could get changed. Added to the group from the Masaki shrine was Nodoka. Ranma's mother was inspecting the young women around her. While they certainly had an odd look to them they seemed human enough and were all very pretty, or would be in the case of the little girl.
Odd didn't really describe the tall well built blonde girl with blue eyes like her son and overly tanned skin. Though she was the only one wearing clothes she recognized, consisting of a pink sweater and khaki pants. The woman struck her as rather childish but she had acted in similar detached manner before. Most often around her husband in a way to get him to do as she pleased without seeming demanding. Usually such people used it to hide pain or to distract others.
The little girl with sky blue hair also stood out and wore clothing that seemed to match the purple haired girl. It was vaguely like a kimono but was obviously different and in a green and blue coloring. The girl had the brightest pink eyes she had ever seen, she didn't even think it was possible for people to have eyes that color. Combined with the freckles across the bridge of her nose, two small green triangles on her forehead, and hair done up in long pigtails,she had to resist the urge to yell 'Cute' and hug the girl who was holding the equally cute Ryo-ohki. The cabbit's presence only adding to the cute factor.
The one she assumed to be the girls big sister, as she kept referring to her, had long dark purple hair pulled back in twin tails that fell down to her knees. She had similar clothing but in variations of purple. Her eyes were a red bordering on burgundy. Unlike the little girl she held herself with great poise and grace, and she was finding herself instantly liking the girl. 'So these two must be the princesses.'
Watching the other female of the group, this one had garnered most of the looks aside from the blonde. She had wild cyan hair swept back behind her head, there was a video game character that it reminded her of, some kind of blue rodent that moved really quickly. Her clothing wasn't that odd, being a long blue dress with beige horizontal stripes, a small orange obi was tied around her waist with a sash that fell to her knees coming from the back for some reason. She was crude and hung off the young man from the shrine like a cloak. She flaunted her beauty in almost an uncomfortable way. And she had the most striking golden eyes that she could swear she had seen before.
"I'm here." An uncertain Tenchi walked in from the gym doors. "I just had to use the lavatory." Mentally adding. 'And considered suicide before Ranma kills me in a violent painful way.'
"Tenchi-sama you're wet."
"I just had something in my eye, nothing to worry about I got it." Chuckling nervously he hoped everyone would buy it.
"Hello again Masaki-san."
"Saotome-san it's nice to see you again."
"I'm gonna go get changed outta this stupid thing." Ranma looked disgustedly down at the leotard and went inside to change.
"Masaki-san perhaps you could introduce me? I recall seeing these pretty young ladies at your home but did not have time to meet them."
"Oh i'm sorry Saotome-san. This is Ryoko, Ayeka-san, Sasami-chan, and Mihoshi-san" Aside from Ryoko each girl bowed to her. "And please call me Tenchi."
"It's nice to meet all of you."
"We hope Ranma-san has been well Saotome-sama. We've missed him at the shrine. His presence helps keep certain, people, in line." A baleful look at Ryoko who returned it with a stuck out tongue accompanied that last statement.
"Please just Nodoka, or Aunty, Ayeka."
"As you wish Nodoka-sama. But it would be impolite for me to refer to you in such an informal way."
"Nonsense, any friend of my son, especially a lovely young lady such as your self is welcome to call me whatever you wish."Ayeka blushed a tiny bit at the praise as Ranma came back out of the dressing room wearing street clothes. On the opposite side an indignant Kodachi stepped out in her school uniform. The girl huffed and looked away from Ranma, still in female form.
"I suppose I should be the bigger girl and extend the olive branch of friendship."
"Well I gotta admit you aren't half bad."
"A backhanded compliment but as the loser I must accept the indignanty and swollow any retort." The pair shook hands before Kodachi left. 'Oh my sons so chivalrous! Even when a girl!'
"Told ja I could handle it. I'm the best after all." Then again watching her son gloat with her hands behind her head she may have to revise that opinion.
"Well son, let's head back to the Tendo's so you can clean up. Kasumi said that she was going to make something special tonight. Oh where are my manners, would you like to join us?" She asked the assembled group, after all there was no way that these women ate as much as her son and husband
"We would be honored Nodoka-sama."
Ryoko smirked, this was perfect. Ayeka seemed to like the woman and the woman seemed to like her. This may just be the thing she needed to get that annoying princess away from Tenchi and towards Ranma. Now if only she could get a little time alone, talk up whatever good qualities she could lie about the princess with a strait face, and then she would be all set to live happily forever with Tenchi.
Ayeka was thinking a similar thought except just the opposite. If she could get in good with Ranma's mother than she could point her in the right direction to have her son go for Ryoko. Mothers were of course naturally nosy in the affairs of their children and perhaps the idea of a daughter in law she could mold would appeal to her. It was a long shot, as the most likely event would be the woman viewing her, with her naturally superior Jurain heritage as the best candidate. But let it be known that she did not back down from a challenge.
X X X X X X
Leaning back in the furo Ranma let the incredibly hot water soak into his sore muscles. It was also nice to be back into his male form with absolutely no possibility of being changed into a girl at least for a short while. Taking a wash cloth and soaking it in the hot water he folding it before putting it over his eyes. Leaning back further till he was almost floating freely in the water he let off a contented sigh.
Everyone in the house was getting along reasonably well. Tenchi had seemed a bit distant, but with both Ayeka and Ryoko actually leaving him alone. He could understand the guy being a bit worried about his health later. He grew kinda worried about that as well as they had wanted to spend time with his own mom. Luckily they had been shoo'd from the kitchen so that Kasumi, Nodoka, and Sasami could cook. The pair had attempted to cook once, and he shivered remembering the mess and horrible food that had resulted.
"Son, dinner will be ready shortly." Nodoka's voice carried through the door after a few small knocks.
"I'll be right out."
Leaving the safe haven of the furo he toweled himself off and put on a set of clean clothes. They weren't anything special, just a red tai chi shirt and black kung fu pants he had picked up in China on the way back from Jusenkyo. He had others that were the same but for some reason he liked these the best.
Out in the tea room, outfitted now with a second table to accommodate the extra guests. Tenchi was sitting closer to the other males of the room. Everyone seemed to be getting along, though with the two fathers it was a bit strained. That and as a male he was a bit intimidated by all estrogen in the room. There wasn't much cross chatter between the two groups but no brawls had erupted so he was happy. He wasn't really sure on the details of the arranged marriage but maybe the fathers thought the females in his life were attempting to steal Ranma away.
Which was rather off the mark, since none of the females currently staying with him were actually interested in Ranma. Suddenly he wanted to go back to the shrine and throw himself down the steps repeatedly. That was the worst thing, he was the only one interested in Ranma, even if it was his cursed form. He could only imagine Ranma if he ever found out, but he figured it would involve a beating and almost assuredly a very painful death.
"So son do you practice any martial arts?" The Tendo patriarch broke into his self destructive musings.
"Yes sir, I practice my families sword style."
"Any good hand to hand?" Genma asked.
"Just some basic kempo."
"Always good to have options. One of the things I've always taught my boy. Use anything you can put your hands on."
"You're the one who taught Ranma?"
"Trained him to be the best I did."
"And an excellent job you did Saotome-kun." Tenchi just nodded, it was hard to think that this overweight guy could have taught Ranma. He didn't even think the man would run a kilometer, let alone keep up with Ranma, who seemed to have an endless supply of energy.
He was saved from embarrassment as Ranma, in male form, sat down as far from him as possible. Tenchi felt he could handle a male Ranma but he bet he'd break down into stutters if he had to deal with the female. Ranma of course received a fair share of congratulations about his victory, as well as several from Sasami and Mihoshi about how cute Ranma had looked. This nearly caused Tenchi to choke, getting him a few odd looks.
Nodoka was enjoying the fact that everyone was getting along reasonably well, and the better reason, that everyone was enjoying the food prepared by her, Kasumi, and Sasami. It had been far too long since the last time she prepared a meal for both her son and husband. She stumbled a bit with her food at that thought. Ranma had clearly said he was only staying for the match and was fully planning on leaving afterwards.
Looking at her son as he ate at a fast pace but still found time to occasionally get a word in with one of the girls from outer space. It was an easy change to notice. He was comfortable around these people, while around the Tendo's and her, he was guarded and kept his distance. She fidgeted for a moment with the bundle containing the honor blade to pull out the contract.
"Nodoka-sama what is that?" She had wanted to do this quietly but now all eyes were drawn to her. Her husbands eyes were about the size of dinner plates and her son just stared at her blankly unable to come up with a feeling.
"Just bad memories." Tearing it up into small pieces she excused herself to deposit them in the trash. She would have preferred a fire, which would feel more final, but this would have to do. When she came back she found her husband with a look of supreme joy and relief. Her son still didn't seem able to come up with an emotion and was eating his food slowly for a change, obviously troubled by her actions.
X X X X X X
Dinner ended without much further incident. That is except for the punishment Genma received for trying to steal food from Ryoko's plate. The cyan haired space pirate had not taken kindly to someone taking good food from her. As with most punishment from women Genma ended up the worse for wear after being hit by an energy blast from Ryoko. As what seemed like a cosmic certainty it had resulted in the man being thrown into the koi pond to float face up, unconscious, a panda, and highly singed.
Sitting on the porch and watching Sasami and Ryo-ohki as they played around the koi pond, Ranma chuckled when Sasami would occasionally poke a still unconscious panda with a stick. Ranma felt a hand rest on his shoulder. "Son would you come with me to the dojo for a minute?" Nodding he followed Nodoka.
"Son, are you still planning to return to the shrine?"
"I, I, want to." He didn't really want to look at her face, to see her disappointed. As stupid as the whole arranged marriage was, it was a matter of family honor, and he was running away from it.
"A mother comes up with expectations for her child, I unfortunately have had 10 years to build up a fantasy about how you would turn out. I won't lie and tell you that you've lived up to them." He jerked a bit at this, he wasn't perfect, but then again who was? He was of course really really close.
"But I've also seen from your actions, in a difficult situation, that while your intentions are not always honorable. You do not wish to harm those around you, and seek honorable resolutions when possible. After all you did wish to be cured before meeting a fiancée. You faced the possibility of seppuku, though you had a curse that made living up to the terms of the contract almost impossibly difficult."
Nodoka paused and considered how to continue. She was already forgetting the rehearsed lines she had come up with. "Seeing you today, dressed and competing in a competition as you were, I would have a hard time calling you physically manly. I am sorry that my own actions caused you to be entered in that. But your actions in defending the honor of a school you did not go to and that of Akane, who was attacked by that girl, certainly are."
"There are, reasons, why certain things are expected of you. But I have always wanted your happiness to come first. While your time here has been admittedly short, I can see by your interactions with those from the Masaki shrine that you won't accept living here. Along with the information you told me last night, I've, I've decided that if you wish to leave, I won't try to stop you."
"You, you're just letting me go?"
"Not exactly, but I've realized that the fantasy world I had dreamed would come true, will not. Holding on to that impossible dream could only result, it could only result in me losing my only child."
"Mom, I."
"Eh? What's going on here?" Shaken from the serious moment Ranma found Ryoko phasing through the wall behind Nodoka. Thankful for the small miracle of Ryoko not showing off for once.
"Ryoko what are you doing?!"
"Well if you're going to be like that..."
"Alright alright sorry, what is it?"
"We're heading back, you comin?"
"Um." Looking to his mother to the side he tried to figure out if this was some trick. It wasn't above Genma to pull sneaky underhanded tactics. He didn't expect it of her, but he really didn't know her at all. Fortunately Nodoka just nodded sadly.
"Yea, lemme just go grab my stuff." Not wanting to give Nodoka a chance to rethink her decision he ran off to the guest room.
"Ryoko?" Nodoka smiled at the wild woman.
"Hmm?"
"What is your relationship to my son?"
"Eh?"
X X X X X X
Enjoying her last few minutes with the alien women, Nodoka couldn't keep a smile from her face. The interactions between them were certainly erasing any doubts she had over her decision. Ignoring Tenchi, they were all nice young women in their own way and they had traveled all the way from Okayama just to watch her son compete. 'How did they find out about that anyways?'
"What's up? I thought we were leavin?" Ranma appeared around the corner of the building with his pack filled with almost everything he owned. He smirked at Genma still laying unconscious in the koi pond. 'That will make this a lot easier.'
Appearing behind Ranma Soun took in a deep breath and created his demon head attack. "What's with the pack?! Are you planning on leaving!? What about the engagement to my daughter?!"
"AAAH!" Ranma was instantly hiding behind Ryoko and forming warding gestures. Sighing at the childish antics of an old man Nodoka walked up with a pin and popped the attack.
"Tendo-kun i'll explain everything to you once they've left."
"But Nodoka, the engagement, the honor pledge, the joining of the schools!"
"Please Tendo-kun, try and contain yourself. We'll discuss it later."
"But the schools!" Soun wailed and broke into tears.
"Thanks mom."
"You're welcome son."
"Well now that we've seen what a big baby Ranma is." Ryoko earned an indignant 'Hey!' from Ranma, but she ignored him and threw Ryo-ohki high up into the air.
"AH! What are you doing!?" Several people were up in Ryoko's face for throwing the tiny creature into the air.
"Look up." Following instructions they saw Ryo-ohki explode out and change into a large space ship. The main body was a red sphere with a large black spire that went directly down. Around the sphere were four more spikes that tilted upwards.
"Wha wha wha wha wha wha wha." The Tendo's, Saotome's, Tenchi, Mihoshi, and Sasami all stuttered. Those in the know about Ryo-ohki, had thought she would grow up and become a space ship, not just turn into one before their eyes.
"I see, so that is how Ryo-ohki could hide from the Galaxy Police." Ayeka was impressed with the sheer change in mass, it certainly explained why the small creature could eat so much. But surely the creature hadn't gotten this much mass from the carrots it was addicted to.
"Jealous princess?"
"Of course not."
"Ry Ryoko! What are you doing!? You can't just do that in the middle of a city!"
"Calm down Tenchi, no one will care. Besides what are they gonna do? Well you ready Ranma?"
"Uh, I guess so." Able to tear his eyes away from the giant space ship hovering over the home he spared a glance to Nodoka. "Mom, i'll be sure to visit ya."
"I, I as well." Nodoka was unable to move her eyes from the thing the cute rabbit creature had become.
"Oh almost forgot, you wanna trip back to your place?" Ryoko was addressing Nodoka. Ranma was, she wouldn't say friend, but he was someone who was usually fun to be around and could put up a decent fight. Ryo-ohki's memories had also said Nodoka lived a fair distance from this place. It would give her a short time to smooze with the woman about hooking Ranma up with Ayeka. The little chat earlier had just been about her, she wasn't interested in Ranma, so that had been worthless.
"Is it safe?" Marginally more prepared for the odd sight, or at least that space ships existed Nodoka was out of the 'Wha wha wha' stage. And was now in the intensely curious stage.
"Hey Ryo-ohki bring us up."
"Miyah!"
Channels of bright orange rings shot down from the ship and encircled the visiting group from the Masaki shrine including Ranma and Nodoka. Their forms lifted off the ground slightly before disappearing. The ship gave off another happy Miyah and rocketed off into the sky.
The four Tendo's just stared up into the sky at where Ryo-ohki's ship form had been. In the pond the still unconscious form of Genma just floated lazily, occasionally bumping a side, sending him spinning or moving in a new direction.
"I think i'm going to go to bed."
"Yes Nabiki I think that would be for the best."
X X X X X X
Author Notes:
Nodoka's maiden name is common in Okayama according to some online site. Just a pointless little connection. As for Nodoka's back story, well I wanted something that would give her reason to be a little more obsessive about the whole manliness thing. But to also give her a bit of leeway. I also wanted to get rid of Genma as the Saotome family head that plagues so many fics. The guy's an idiot, unless he was the last of the family you think someone would put him in charge?
It's hard to have Ranma be adopted but have Nodoka and Genma act the same as canon. Especially for those early years. A note about me making him small for his age, I've seen conflicting translations about the time Ranma was taken on the training trip. Add to it that he looks like a baby in the flashback I thought I'd come up with a reason while still keeping with the accepted 10 year time period.
Reason Kodachi didn't preemptively attack Ranma at the Tendo's was because it was such short notice that she didn't have time to find out who was the replacement. Though she did find out about Akane and so attacked her at school.
Nemaki – sleeping robe. Same one from volume 28 chapter 2 or 291 if you are looking through a chapter listing. It's probably not exactly what she was wearing but close enough. (Not sure on colors) And frankly you never see her wear anything that isn't traditional.
Honestly I'm really sorry about what I did to Tenchi, but it does make a little sense, and it will be an UNREQUITED LOVE. First time he saw Ranma was as a girl, as a reviewer pointed out a while ago, first impressions are rather big in terms of setting the interactions with people. Add to that the weirdness of their first night around each other, it would probably be more ingrained in his head to see Ranma as a girl. More so than the following week where Ranma still had to spend a decent amount of time as a girl due to having no easy way to get hot water through most of it.
It's a spur of the moment thing which is why there isn't much of a lead up to it though I haven't really spent much time with Tenchi other than a couple small spots. Though there are small unintentional ones and even one noticed by Ranma about Tenchi never sharing a bath because he would see Ranma-chan. Even though hot water would mean Ranma-kun.
If the idea of having Tenchi being fought over by Ryoko and Ayeka all the while secretly pining for Ranma-chan is poorly received I'll get rid of it. But now that it's in my head all the possibilities for misunderstands and chaos make me giggle uncontrollably.
I realized that I neglected Ryoko and her penchant to use a sash as a tail. I'll try and include it a little more, since I am basing her abilities off the OVA.
